The Annual
Cluster Retreat

Instructions from Bob:

Hey everyone! Now that we're through the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons, we're starting to ramp up for our annual retreat! Can you feel the excitement?!

In preparation for the retreat, we have an assignment for you! Not to worry, it's a really easy assignment: watch a 1 hour and 41 minute movie before the retreat. Easy peasy!

The title of the movie we'd like you to watch is Bruce Almighty.

This is by no means a "Christian movie." It's also not a family movie. It's rated PG-13 for language, suggestive content and crude humor. I strongly advise you to review the Parent's guide on IMDB and decide for yourself if you want any of your kids to watch it with you.

So why are we asking you to watch this movie before the retreat? While I doubt the writers of the movie intended to convey a Christian message, I believe that, whether it was their intent or not, they included a depiction of a "conversion" experience in the main character that captures the essence of a true conversion to the Christian faith.

Our hope is that we'll be able to use this depiction to stimulate a discussion at our retreat about what it means to fully submit our lives to God's will. We'll see. Worst case, I think it's a fairly fun movie that you'll enjoy. 🙂

We’re also including a few questions for you to ponder as you watch the movie (attached). Nothing too heavy, just some things to stimulate your thinking.

Let David or me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Questions:

1. In the first part of the movie, what are the things that Bruce believes give meaning to life?
2. What are Bruce’s misconceptions about how God works? What’s the basis of his conclusion that God hates him?
3. What’s wrong with the way Bruce initially responds after being given God’s powers? What changes in his perspective after the riot and his subsequent meeting with God (at about 1:16 in the movie)?
4. What’s one word that you think best describes the change in Bruce in his "conversion" experience (when he kneels in the middle of the highway in the rain - starting at about 1:26)?